Information Technology Specialist (Security)

Summary

This NASA OIG IT Security Specialist oversees application software, networks, and enterprise architecture. The role drives risk assessments, policy development, disaster recovery, and executive briefings to secure critical mission data.

Duties

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• Plan, schedule, execute, and validate patching across servers, workstations, and applications to ensure timely remediation of KEVs and other critical vulnerabilities.
• Coordinate and execute vulnerability remediation across servers and endpoints using tools such as BigFix, Nessus, and SentinelOne to resolve security findings.
• Create, modify, and remove system access; manage authentication controls; conduct account audits; support MFA and PIV initiatives; and maintain secure permission structures.
• Manage user accounts, permissions, and access to sensitive systems and data, ensuring proper authentication; remove access for terminated personnel; and maintain audit records.
• Design and maintain secure network and AWS GovCloud architectures, including firewalls, VPNs, segmentation, logging, high availability, disaster recovery, implement cloud security controls, and secure integration of new technologies.
• Lead evaluations of information system security features; develop certification and accreditation plans; document deficiencies; track corrective actions; and recommend improvements.
• Assess IT systems for vulnerabilities, track remediation of KEVs, and maintain continuous monitoring activities to ensure compliance with federal and agency security requirements.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to leadership, IT staff, and stakeholders on cybersecurity, IT procurements, and coordination with internal departments and external agencies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Current Federal employees must meet qualifications, time in grade, and 90 days after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET security clearance.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level:

• Remediates enterprise server vulnerabilities across cloud and on-premises environments by applying patches, hardening Linux and Windows systems, updating certificates, and resolving KEV, SOC, and POA&M findings using tools such as BigFix, AWS, and EDW services.
• Configures and supports AWS cloud services, including EC2, Instance Scheduler, GuardDuty, FSx, Airflow, and virtual desktop solutions; upgrades production and development environments; and troubleshoots major application outages through root cause analysis and service restoration.
• Administers access control and security workflows by managing user permissions, implementing MFA, coordinating system access changes, and addressing SSP and POA&M security requirements.
• Evaluates networking and cloud-related procurements by analyzing technical requirements, licensing, subscription costs, and compatibility to support secure and efficient enterprise IT operations.

AND

IF you are qualifying based on experience, you MUST also have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you are applying for a GS-12 or higher level and are a current federal employee, you must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible for this position. To be eligible, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in a position no more than 1 grade lower than the advertised position. Please submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. If your eligibility for both merit promotion and/or time-in-grade cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.

Note: Time-in-grade requirements also apply to applicants who have held a non-temporary, competitive service GS position in the past year.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.

- Be well qualified for this position to receive consideration. Candidates rated in the 'Best Qualified' category are considered well-qualified. Please see 'How You Will Be Evaluated' for more information.

- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Qualified NASA term employees who have term conversion eligibility (Term Appointments | NASA) under the NASA Flexibility Act of 2004 will be referred and considered equally with other NASA permanent employees under internal competitive placement procedures.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.